The Commission's investigation

In December 2022, France awarded to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale (individually, or jointly as Groupement Corsica Linea-La Méridionale) five contracts for the provision of maritime transport services for passengers and freight between Marseille and five Corsican ports (Ajaccio, Bastia, Propriano, L'Île Rousse and Porto-Vecchio) for the period 2023-2030. France notified the Commission compensation to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale of €853,6 million for the provision of these services.

At this stage, based on its preliminary assessment, the Commission considers that additional information is necessary to determine whether the public compensation paid to Corsica Linea and La Méridionale is in line with EU State aid rules, and in particular with the 2012 Service of General Economic Interest (‘SGEI') Framework.

For this reason, the Commission has decided to open an in-depth investigation to assess whether:

• The inclusion of transport of towed freight and truck drivers in the contracts is justified by a public service need, given the presence on the market of a commercial offer developed from the neighboring port.
• The volume of freight traffic to be transported pursuant to the contracts does not exceed the public service need identified by the French authorities.

In addition, additional clarifications are needed to conclude that the contracts comply with EU rules on public procurement.

The Commission will now investigate further. The opening of the in-depth investigation gives France and other interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

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